Interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan midfielder Ardon Jashari spoke about the frustrations he has faced in the early part of his time with the Rossoneri, due to the serious fibula injury that kept him off the pitch for a while. He also expressed his desire to prove his worth and hopes to start doing so tonight against Napoli.
Jashari, how are you feeling now?
"I feel very, very good, and the injury is in the past. Over the last two months I’ve worked a lot in training and haven’t had any problems. Not even in the friendly during the international break (against Entella) or in the Coppa Italia against Lazio. My leg doesn’t bother me anymore, and I’m happy about that."
The injury in training on August 27 was unfortunate.
“Honestly, after a summer in which the negotiations for my move to Milan were long, having a problem like this was not ideal. I had been training with the team for three weeks, I was progressing, and I think anyone in my place would not have been happy. Unlucky… It happens in football. I wanted to be on the pitch to help the team and make the fans happy, but it wasn’t possible. In life, everything happens for a reason: it just meant that this setback had to be part of my journey here at Milan.”
Jashari, who helped you the most?
"Everyone at Milan reached out and made me feel important: teammates, staff, the coach, the management… The first three days were mentally tough, but then I had the chance to spend a few weeks with my family in Zug. With a broken bone, I couldn’t train, so spending time with my parents and friends, while continuing physiotherapy, really helped me: I didn’t think too much about the injury and I found peace of mind."
Then you returned to Milanello...
“From mid-September, I continued therapy with physiotherapist David, then I started exercises in the gym, on the sand, and finally on the pitch. Returning to the group was the final step.”
Now you train and play with Luka Modric. What kind of player is Luka? What can you learn from him?
"Playing with him is incredible for everyone, not just me. I play in his position, so I can learn a lot: he has exceptional technical skills and a super personality that he shows in the way he approaches the younger players. At his age, most players in his position have already retired, but he works every day with commitment, ambition, motivation, and discipline. He has an incredible winning mentality."
From Rabiot, who plays as a mezzala, another role you can occupy, what are you learning?
"From day one, Rabiot made a big impact on the team and he’s important for Milan. For how he ‘reads’ the game and plays football. You can’t copy him because everyone has their own qualities and physical traits, but with champions like him and Modric, you can still take something and become more complete."
What kind of coach is Allegri?
"The coach is important, he’s always close to us. Having someone like him gives confidence to players and the locker room. He’s fundamental for our success: he has experience and has worked with incredible players. I can learn a lot from him."
Do you know Allegri was a midfielder like you?
"Yes, he was a number 10, and that’s why I say he can help me a lot."
What do you think of Napoli, tonight’s opponent?
"You shouldn’t compare the Supercup match to the league game, because this is a knockout: the winner goes to the final… In Serie A, there’s time to recover from a loss. This will be different, and we have to be ready. We know Napoli well: they are strong and competitive, having won the last league. We’ll need confidence in ourselves and maximum effort."
So far, you’ve always performed well against the big teams.
“True, but this match doesn’t follow any pattern: it will be tough for both us and them.”
Is there a Napoli player you fear more than the others?
“Hard to say. Napoli has quality in every department, but we shouldn’t focus on who is the most dangerous: we have to enjoy the game, give our all, and reach the final. That’s our goal, and to do that, we need to execute what the coach asks perfectly.”
You’ve fulfilled the Milan dream. What’s next?
“I dreamed of being where I am, in a big club. Everyone knows how much I wanted Milan. Bruges had many contacts with other clubs, but I was clear about wanting only the Rossoneri jersey. I don’t like talking about goals to achieve: I want to enjoy myself, give my best, and help this great team I have the honor of representing. Let’s see what the future holds.”
Differences between Serie A and the Belgian league?
“They are two competitions that can’t be compared. In Italy, every game is tough and full of traps. To earn points, you have to fight fully, and details matter: we learned that the hard way against mid and smaller teams.”
Milan fans haven’t seen the real Jashari yet, even though that pass in the Coppa Italia against Lazio…
“My condition will return when I play consistently. I want to reach top form quickly.”
How much do you miss the Champions League?
"Much, because it’s the most beautiful competition in Europe. Our goal is to play it next year, and we’re working hard for that."
Sounds like something Allegri would say… And the Scudetto?
"No, it’s too early to talk about that. We take it game by game, and in the end, we’ll see where we are."
